From F1 to Fine Dining: Massa’s Rising Restaurants

Felipe Massa, ex-Ferrari star, is steering success in Brazil’s restaurant scene with two acclaimed high-end eateries in São Paulo.

Felipe Massa is now the proud owner of two successful, high-end restaurants in his hometown of São Paulo.

Today, the retired 43-year-old Formula 1 driver is best known for his years with Ferrari while continuing to pursue legal action against F1 authorities over the controversial “Crashgate” episode, which likely cost him the 2008 world championship.

Massa still races in stock cars in Brazil, but most fans are unaware that he is also a restaurateur.

Correspondents from the Formula 1 magazine in the Netherlands visited the 11-time Grand Prix winner at his latest venture — a Chinese restaurant called Song Qi.

On the menu, gourmet dishes such as steamed scallops and Peking duck, the house specialty. The publication notes that F1 drivers like Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas have already dined there.

“Today, there’s a Japanese restaurant on every corner,” Massa explains, “but oddly, there wasn’t a good Chinese restaurant. We seized the opportunity.”

“The prices aren’t very high, but we operate in the premium segment. Our Brazilian chefs also trained in Europe for two months. We aim to offer our customers a special experience.”

Massa admits that his competitive spirit as a racing driver easily transferred to the world of business.

“We want to be the best. In a way, it’s like elite sports. Running a high-end restaurant is actually similar to managing a Formula 1 team.”

“Everything must be top quality: the products, but also the people. Everyone needs to work well together, from the buyers to the service staff, those behind the bar, and in the kitchen. And timing must be perfect. Like in Formula 1, it’s all about details.”

“If one element doesn’t work, everything can go wrong.”

Massa’s other restaurant is Beefbar, already considered the “best beef restaurant in Brazil.”